Converse Rubber Tracks Unlocks the Doors to Iconic Studios Around the World

New Global Program Offers Emerging Artists The Opportunity To Write The Next Chapter Of Music History At Legendary Studios Including Abbey Road, Sunset Sound, Tuff Gong And Many More

BOSTON, MASS. (MAY 26, 2015) - Today, CONVERSE Inc. announces the global launch of a monumental new Converse Rubber Tracks program that opens the doors to some of the world’s greatest recording studios in music history. Over a two-week period, Converse Rubber Tracks will activate across eight different countries in four continents, offering aspiring musicians the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record original music at 12 landmark studios, including the two Converse Rubber Tracks studios, at no cost.

Global registration begins today, Tuesday, May 26 and runs through Wednesday, June 24, featuring an online submission process that requires applicants to rank their top three studio preferences, and encourages all to enter a brief artist biography or description via a video or written application. If selected, chosen artists will be notified in early July. Following a thorough planning session with studio producers, artists chosen will be taken to one of their studios of choice in September this year, with most travel accommodations arranged and select expenses covered by Converse.

Starting today, emerging artists, bands, and musicians 18 years and older and of all genres across the globe can register for the rare opportunity to record at the following participating studios: Abbey Road Studios in London,England; Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California; Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany; Tuff Gong in Kingston, Jamaica; Greenhouse Studios in Reykjavik, Iceland; The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada;Avast Recording Co. in Seattle, Washington; Stankonia in Atlanta, Georgia; Studios 301 in Sydney, Australia;Tocado Bandido in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the original brick-and-mortar Converse Rubber Tracks studio in Brooklyn, New York; and the second permanent Converse Rubber Tracks studio in Boston, Massachusetts, slated to open this summer.

“Since we opened our first permanent Converse Rubber Tracks studio in Brooklyn four years ago, we’ve had aspirations to elevate this program even further, hoping to extend thisopportunity to artists across the globe,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Global Music Marketing Director. “With this new Converse Rubber Tracks program, we will unlock the doors to some of the greatest recording studios in music history and we’re ecstatic to offer this extraordinary experience to emerging artists worldwide. As a brand so deeply rooted in the next generation of creative spirits, we’re eager to make history while inspiring creativity and self-expression among music communities worldwide.”

This Converse Rubber Track program will serve as the brand’s most innovative music initiatives to date, signifying the exponential growth and global expansion of the Converse Rubber Tracks platform, set to offer a total of 84 recording sessions at 12different studios within the two-week time frame. Selected artists will have the opportunity to work with world-renowned producers and sound engineers, while being given access to industry-leading technology in studios that have hosted some of the most celebrated acts in music history.

The Converse Rubber Tracks program was born out of the brand's desire to give back to the musiccommunity and provide opportunities for artists who might not be able to afford studio time. Since the flagship studio opened in Brooklyn in July 2011, over 900 emerging artists have had the opportunity to record original musicalongside the Converse Rubber Tracks team of experienced engineers at no cost. At the end of their studio time, the artists retain all of the rights to their own music. Over the past three years, the program has expanded beyond the studio in Brooklyn with Converse Rubber Tracks pop-up studios, which has brought the Converse Rubber Tracks experience on the road to vibrant music communities around the globe, including Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Montreal, São Paulo, Beijing, Amsterdam, London, Hamburg, Paris, and Mexico City to name a few.

ABOUT CONVERSEConverse Inc., based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary sneaker such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® sneaker, the Jack Purcell® sneaker and the One Star® sneaker. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio includingmen's, women's and children’s footwear, apparel and accessories. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 90 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, please visit media.converse.com.

ABOUT CONVERSE RUBBER TRACKSConverse Rubber Tracks is a state-of-the-art recording studio that is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. The 5,200 square-foot, full-service recording space aims to support emerging artists by providing them access to a top-level recording studio at no cost. Artists and bands of all genres and ages from around theworld are encouraged to apply and, upon acceptance, may reserve time in thestudio to work alongside a team of experienced engineers. Fully equipped with the best instruments and equipment supplied by Converse Rubber Tracks partner Guitar Center, artists will spend time creating their work and in the end retain all the rights to their music. Through Converse Rubber Tracks, Converse is giving back to the creative community that has embraced the brand throughout its over 100-year history. Converse Rubber Tracks provides a platform for artists to unleash their creative spirit that will change the world.